Sizing Agent

Definition - What does Sizing Agent mean?

Sizing agents are various substances that are used to facilitate the water-resistant protection of a paper's surface. These substances are typically used to prevent ink from seeping into the paper and to prevent ink from blurring due to contact with water.

Corrosionpedia explains Sizing Agent

Sizing agents are applied to a variety of paper types including newspapers, fine writing paper, ink-jet printer paper and others. Three main types of sizing agents are widely used: emulsion, solution and alkyl ketene dimers.

Sizing is used for oil-based paper surface preparation to reduce the paper's absorbency. It is also used by painters and artists to prepare textile surfaces for some art techniques.